Yankees sailing as their rivals, the Red Sox, fall into complete chaos

Apr 25, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells (28) hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

After the game, the Yankees still hadn’t decided on Giancarlo Stanton’s status.

Unavailable on Saturday due to tightness in his right calf, Stanton remained a candidate for the injured list.

From the bench, Stanton watched every Yankee in Saturday’s lineup reach safely, with 12 hits – three of them solo homers – and 10 walks against Houston pitching.

“Patience was the difference tonight,’’ said Boone. “Really good at-bats, deep counts.’’

And there was Austin Wells, whose two RBI on Saturday matched his seasonal total entering the game.

Leading off what would be a three-run seventh inning, Wells’ second homer of the year broke a 2-2 tie and validated what had been a series of better at-bats with nothing much to show.

“Just trying to keep it simple, swing at strikes and take balls,’’ said Wells, who was 4-for-28 with four singles – but nine walks – since his last extra-base hit, a homer on April 11.

“I think it (reflects on) how I’ve been getting pitched, a little bit how I was getting pitched last year,’’ Wells said of those walks as a harbinger for better results.

“I don’t know how it’s going to correlate directly into hitting the ball, but being in the zone for me’’ is the key.

Ryan Weathers' whirlwind week

Apr 25, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Ryan Weathers (40) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Wells also caught Ryan Weathers' first start as a new father, pitching into the sixth, and at one point retiring 11 straight Astros - three days after the birth of his son.

"It's been crazy,'' Weathers said of his week, which included an early-morning Wednesday call, in Boston, that his wife had gone into labor.

Weathers said he arrived at the hospital at 9:47 a.m., and his wife gave birth at 10:04 a.m.

A day later, Weathers threw a bullpen at Yankee Stadium ahead of his regularly scheduled start (the baby arrived three days earlier than expected).

"It's still my job,'' said Weathers. "I still have to perform.''

Jose Caballero's power and speed

Apr 25, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Mike Burrows (50) reacts as New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero (72) celebrates with first base coach Dan Fiorito (85) after hitting a home run during the third inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Jose Caballero’s power and baserunning abandon was on full display, with a solo homer, a stolen base – and being twice caught stealing third.

“If he gets his steal of third locked down, it would’ve been a Rickey-like night,’’ said Boone, who was OK with Caballero trying to swipe third on his own, in the seventh, with a lefty-hitting Ben Rice (3-for-4, sac fly) up and Aaron Judge on deck in a 3-2 game.

“You’re going to take as many extra-bases as he is, you’re going to get caught sometimes,’’ said Boone, who then watched Rice single ahead of three straight walks for a 5-2 lead.

“You know the guy behind you is going to do the job. We trust one another,’’ said Caballero. “It keeps the game simple for us.’’

Caballero has also markedly improved his shortstop defense, while flashing a strong arm, with Anthony Volpe perhaps days away from being reinstated from his rehab assignment.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees sailing as their rivals, the Red Sox, fall into complete chaos